Colorado Environmental Coalition, Colorado Conservation Voters, Earthworks Oil & Gas Accountability Project, High Country Citizens Alliance, Natural Resources Defense Council, and San Juan Citizens Alliance (the “Conservation Groups”) file this Rebuttal Statement in the setbacks rulemaking.
The Commission will have the first – and perhaps the final – say regarding whether to require operators to drill at safe distances from homes, to require safe practices, to provide a level playing field, and to ensure a comprehensive regulatory framework. As Director Lepore suggested in his introductory remarks at the December 10 hearing, if the Commission is perceived to fail citizens, the venue at which these determinations are made will likely shift to the General Assembly, local government, and polling places across the State.
